New Delhi: Members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) are set to gather at the Parliament Street police station in New Delhi on Friday, seeking action over a viral podcast clip in which right-wing social media influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj allegedly claimed to have assaulted Sanjay Kumar, the father of student protester Nishu Azad, during a June 23 demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das said members of the group would reach the police station at 10 am to seek justice for Kumar, who was injured during the protest over the alleged NEET paper leak.
 

The move follows the circulation of a video from an interview on YouTube channel The Casual Talk, in which Bhardwaj allegedly spoke about the confrontation and claimed that he had ‘cracked the skull’ of Nishu’s father.

Bhardwaj claimed in the podcast that Kumar required 60 stitches and was being taken away in an ambulance in a serious condition. He also referred to Section 307, relating to attempt to murder, while describing the alleged assault.

The influencer further boasted that he did not spend time in jail after the incident.

He attributed this partly to the ‘blessings’ of Balaji and partly to his alleged association with Delhi minister Kapil Mishra, whom he described as his ‘elder brother’.

Bhardwaj claimed that people had told him that a call from Mishra had led to his release.

He also named Union minister Chirag Paswan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while discussing his political connections. The claims have not been independently verified.

Delhi Police disputes skull fracture claim

The allegations have drawn renewed scrutiny after Delhi Police disputed Bhardwaj’s account of the injuries suffered by Kumar.

In a statement on X, Delhi Police said Kumar sustained a head injury from a kada, or bangle, during a scuffle.

The police rejected the claim of a ‘crack in skull’ as misinformation and said the medical examination at RML Hospital described the injuries as simple.

Police have also denied allegations of political interference in the handling of the case.

According to the police, Bhardwaj and another person, identified as Suraj Kumar, were detained, served notices and interrogated in connection with the incident.

Police said legal action had been taken and that a chargesheet would be filed before the competent court.

AISA backs CJP action

The controversy has also drawn a reaction from the All India Students’ Association (AISA), which condemned the alleged remarks and backed calls for legal action against Bhardwaj.

‘It's done, bro. Don’t think u can get away with this. Law will take its course, n we'll make sure u get the strictest punishment possible,’ AISA said in a post on X, adding that those allegedly involved would also face legal consequences.

The latest move by CJP members comes amid growing demands for action over the viral podcast, with the group seeking to take the matter to the Parliament Street police station and press for a formal response from the authorities.

The case has also brought renewed attention to the June 23 confrontation at Jantar Mantar, with conflicting accounts emerging over the nature and severity of Kumar’s injuries and the circumstances surrounding the subsequent police action.